The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1887-03-04
WHOLE NO. 355

III IlitI snort TIME see WHAT ms Detn nc
compish d. We all know The work which
the Grange h IS done hnd is still dong IL
some paces) aud though opposed by some
on the ground Of being secret order, vel
all must acknowledge That il has performed
a noble work for the welfare and advance.
meut If the working class.
The Farm rs Alliance in some of III
Western States, though bu II recent organ
ization. is making itself fell as power in
the land. Lock for moment at some of
the results of this work. Were il not for
the farmers rgnnizntions, would il have
been possible for farmer to have been
elected Governor of The great State of
| Michigan? Wouli the Interstate Com
merce Bill and other measures designed to
promote the prosperity Of the people have
been passed without the aid of these or,
ganzalions? In view of what has been
done is il not wise for farmers to 90 on in
the work they have undertaken? And as
a means of education for the farmer can
think of no better organization Than that
of The Farmers Club.
Though yet in its infancy, still the
Farmers Club is already attracting an
amount of attention which bids fair in
Il short time To place il in the front rank as
an organ for the education and advance
ment Of the farming community. A few
of the most desirable quail les of the Farm
ers' Club are to be found in its simplicity,
lts practical work, its independence, its
exclusivenrss, its educational qualities.
and its social features. Having but few
| simple bylaws and rules of order and
these of nature to be easily understood,
IL seems to be the plan best suited to the
farmer who, unlike the lawyer and poll
tician, seems to have an aversion To com
plicated rules and points of parliamentary
practice.
Taking up practical questions and those
OF vital importance to The fa mer. and
dealing with them in the most practical
manner possible, each member discussing
the question in the way most in accordance
with his own practice, is, TO those desirous
of learning the practical details of farm
management, n most desirable acquisition.
The Farmers Club, unlike the Farmers
Alliance and similar bodies, is AN indie
pendent organizalio, having no State or
National body 20 which it must be subor-
dinate, and hence is tranmeled by no
laws except those OF its own making, and
Is independent in its action and Can take
its own course as a body without any in-
reference of "a higher power. Although
not secret order, the fact of the member
ship of the Club beng confined to a Ger
tain number of families, prevents The at
tendance of too large numbers as is some
times the case with bodies whose doings
are of public nature.
There is an old adage TO the effect that
ga man is never too old to learn, ;" hence
people are anxious to learn, especially
with regard to the occupations in which
they arc engaged.
Here then is the place for an interchange
of views on all topics of Importance to the
farmer. Net only are the discussions and
essays of interest from what can be learned,
but as all are required to take part in the
exercises, it proves valuable in enabling
the members to acquire that confidence in
themselves and readiness Of expression
which is so desirable to those engaged in
public business. For the young farmer
especially l can conceive of no place where
he can get better return for the time and
trouble expended than in belongng.to to n
real live farmers Club
In tho opinion of many the social feature
of the Farmers Club is lis strongest point
and though may differ with others as 10
that still / care not so long as the success
of the Club is an assured fact. Composed
as 1t usually is of families living in the
same vicinity. or at least living near
enough together to be tolerably we'll ac-
Quainted with each other, with the chance
for social chat and friendly intercourse, with
music as part of the exercises, and last.
Though by no means least, the bountiful
meal provided for the occasion, one can
hardly help admitting that the social fea-
ture of the Farmers Club is at least very
pleasant part Of the arrangement
have thus endeavored to give you some
OF the desirable features of the Farmers
Club, and will not tire your patience long.
or only to add in conclusion, my plea TO
you as brother farmers to organize, If not
the Farmers Club. then some other organ
ization having the same great object in
view, viz: the advancement of the interests.
the education of the members, and the
general welfare of that class of citizens
who, though not yet In the full enjoyment
of the rights and privileges which are their
due, will in time achieve proud distinction
which shall cause the generations to,come
after them to bless the name of the Ameri-
can farmer.
Toao N,,rfot., Gala o.. AZ.